The kids pretty much loved everything we did with them from playing on a merry-go-round to swimming at the public pool in Valentine. Since the trip was to be a missionary outreach we decided that doing short skits would be more appropriate for children rather than preaching. We chose a few stories from the Bible and practiced our lines during our 30-hour road trip from Eugene. The stories we play acted were of Jesus letting the children come to him, God speaking to the child Samuel, and Jesus healing a little girl. The children watched with wide dark eyes and open hearts. Jesus to them was a college student in an old soccar jersey who gave out hugs and hotdogs..
The spiritual world is not foreign to these children. Their tribe performs the yearly ritual of the Sundance which is a weeklong ordeal that includes extended periods of hunger and exhaustion in a steam-tent that ends with a day staring at the sun hanging from ropes anchored in the chest with metal hooks. Only the bravest of men can complete a Sundance.
What do the children get out of this? There are spirits that roam their houses breaking things and terrorizing the children when their parents are gone. The last day there I prayed with a six-year-old girl that the spirits would not bother her and her brothers. She had captured my heart the first day when she took my hand and asked me if she could sleep in my tent. These fears are real to her, but also real is the love and trust that the name of Jesus brings. My prayer was for her protection and my peace of mind that we would not be leaving them without anything to hold on to.
After our brief time with the children, the prospect of leaving just about broke my heart. I knew that most of them would be returning to a place of hardship and I would be returning to Eugene where all of my needs are met and I have friends and family who care for me. I vowed to not forget them in my heart and prayers and to share their story with others. ~~~
see these kids now.